Princess vs Royal Caribbean: Which Cruise Line Is Right for You?
Princess and Royal Caribbean offer distinct experiences tailored to different travel preferences. Princess operates 19 active ships with a typical guest capacity of 3,307, offering destination-rich, longer voyages averaging 13.8 nights at $147 per night. Positioned as a premium line, it averages a 4.4 out of 5 rating. Royal Caribbean provides 3,251 cruises across 33 ships, featuring larger vessels carrying up to 5,734 guests. Its trips average 5.8 nights at $164 per night, featuring high-energy adventure, first-at-sea thrills, and a typical inside-cabin starting price of $935 compared to Princess's $2,098.
🏁 At a Glance
📊 Head to Head
| Princess | Royal Caribbean | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruises on saleHow many upcoming sailings CruiseSheet is tracking | 1,768 | 3,254 |
| Lowest priceCheapest inside cabin on any sailing | $175 | $199 |
| Typical priceAverage inside-cabin starting price | $2,076 | $936 |
| Price per nightAverage nightly cost — the fairest value yardstick | $146 | $164 |
| Average trip lengthLonger voyages vs. shorter getaways | 13.7 nights | 5.8 nights |
| Ships in fleetActive ships currently sailing | 19 | 33 |
| Typical ship sizeBig-ship amenities vs. a more intimate feel | 3,307 guests | 3,885 guests |
| Largest shipGuest capacity of the biggest vessel | 4,320 guests | 5,734 guests |
| Guest ratingCruiseSheet guest rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
Figures are drawn from live CruiseSheet pricing and fleet data and update as new sailings are loaded.
🤔 Which Should You Choose?
Choose Princess if you prefer longer, destination-focused itineraries with an elegant, relaxing atmosphere and slightly lower nightly rates averaging $147 per night. With an average trip length of 13.8 nights, a higher guest rating of 4.4 out of 5, and specialized hubs in places like Alaska, Europe, and Vancouver, Princess suits travelers seeking seamless MedallionClass technology and extended journeys. Choose Royal Caribbean if you want shorter, action-packed vacations on larger resort-style ships. Offering 3,251 sailings with an average duration of 5.8 nights, a lower typical inside-cabin starting price of $935, and massive ships holding up to 5,734 guests, Royal Caribbean excels at high-energy adventure and neighborhood-style ship designs.
💰 Princess vs Royal Caribbean: Current Deals
Princess
Royal Caribbean
❓ Princess vs Royal Caribbean: Common Questions
❓ Which cruise line is cheaper?
Royal Caribbean offers a lower typical inside-cabin starting price of $935 compared to $2,098 for Princess, largely due to shorter itineraries. However, Princess features a lower average price per night at $147 compared to Royal Caribbean's $164 per night.
❓ Which cruise line has larger ships and more options?
Royal Caribbean operates a larger fleet of 33 active ships with capacity reaching up to 5,734 guests, offering 3,251 cruises on sale. Princess has 19 active ships with a maximum guest capacity of 4,320 across 1,793 available cruises.
❓ How do trip lengths and itinerary styles differ between Princess and Royal Caribbean?
Princess focuses on longer, destination-rich voyages averaging 13.8 nights, popular in regions like Europe and California. Royal Caribbean specializes in shorter, resort-style trips averaging 5.8 nights, with a strong focus on high-energy adventure in Florida and the Caribbean.
